Dale Earnhardt Jr is NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Again

Dale Earnhardt Jr. made head way on another record today when he was presented with Nascar's National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Most Popular Driver award presented by Hamburger Helper today at the National Motorsports Press Association's Myers Brothers ceremony.

Earnhardt Jr. is now second behind Bill Elliot. The two have the distinction as being the only two drivers to win the most popular driver in Nascar Sprint Cup competition eight years in a row. Elliot has won the award an impressive 10 times in a row and 16 most popular driver awards in total. In a show of the class that has been Elliot's style throughout his career, he removed himself from the balloting after his 16^th win.

"It was pretty cool to hear that I was eight in a row just like Bill (Elliott)," Earnhardt Jr. said. "I've enjoyed winning it - my fan base has stayed strong. It's become an important honor each year for me. I'm glad that fans still feel their support for me. I appreciate their dedication and loyalty."

Among the other finalist for the award were Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart. This award shows that Earnhardt Jr, despite his troubles on the track still has the support of the fans as he prepares for the 2011 season with crew chief Steve Letarte, on top of his pit box.

Fans had the opportunity to vote for their favorite driver throughout the season on the Hamburger Helper website. Over 1.5 million votes were tallied.